Chad L. Coleman is a critically acclaimed TV, film and stage actor best known for his roles as fan-favorite Tyreese in the Golden Globe-nominated series The Walking Dead and reformed criminal Dennis “Cutty” Wise in the Emmy-nominated HBO drama The Wire. Coleman currently stars as Klyden in Seth MacFarlane’s comedy-drama The Orville. His past TV and film projects also include The Expanse, All American, Arrow, I Hate My Teenage Daughter, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Green Hornet and Horrible Bosses.
One thing I try to do every day is…
take personal inventory of my inner self and honestly walk toward any discomfort present and soothe myself.
I describe my vibe as…
sincere, authentic and cool.
I feel most alive when…
I’m acting. The Creator gave me this gift of creativity, so when I’m acting, I’m in my most divine state.
A show that changed my life was…
The Wire. It gave me name recognition on a much broader scale and validation as a skilled actor.
My favorite quote is…
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” (New American Standard Bible, Luke 12:48)
To avoid distractions…
I meditate. Clears my mind. Calms the noise.
I handle negativity by…
not giving it value and being intentionally positive.
One thing that is difficult for me but I enjoy is…
producing. It’s a pain in the you-know-what, but I do love it when it all comes together.
When I need a creative spark…
I listen to my favorite music.
The most surprising thing about me is…
I don’t like conflict or aggression.
The biggest risk I ever took was…
going to New York at 23 years old to pursue my acting career.
I want people to know me for…
my humanitarian spirit.
In 10 years, I hope to…
have been an executive producer on at least three TV shows.
I define success as…
This article originally appeared in the September/October 2022 issue of SUCCESS magazine. Photos by ©Benjo Arwas; Walking Dead Photo: Gene Page/AMC